The Definitive Answer To Becks Nairn and Other Conspiracists

[Chief Stipe]

If you want to see what the top trainers are doing in OZ (a couple in NZ are on to it as well) look at Ciaron Maher's (CMR) Bong Bong operation.

https://www.ciaronmaher.com.au/sports-science-and-data

Recovery

Recovery strategies at CMR, including the use of Hypoxic Chambers, 24/7 monitoring, electromagnetic pulse therapy, and hyperbaric chambers, are essential for enhancing horses’ adaptation to training, accelerating repair, and preventing injuries.

[Chief Stipe]

 

[Steven B]

On 9/2/2025 at 6:51 PM, the galah said:

I get what your saying,

no one can argue her findings about arcano lack specific professional forensic support. 

that would have proved costly had she gone ahead and paid for that herself.Instead we are left to take on face value what she says she was told by a couple of vets and that the pictures she shows are from the right horse.  But i don't think its reasonable to infer, what she said was done with an intent to mislead. 

iAnyone who has worked in a freezing works knows lungs come in all degrees of health and who really knows when and what point stress or trauma happened in an animals life. All they can tell without knowing the animals history is it did happen at some stage. So i agree she made assumptions without possibly knowing the full life hisrotory of the horse.

but to be fair,assuming she has accurately identified there was damage. But she is relying not only on that but other factors.e.g.

1) hrnz came out with statements cleary concerned at what their intelligence had told them was the use of xenon.Just reaad their press satements at the time

2)m kerr was one of the trainers widely rumoured to be involved in its use. i thought nearly everyone knew that.

3) the fact that m kerr was able to achieve a total form reversal with arcano ,from consistently running down the track at manawatu and nelson, to winning impressively at addington,after having him for just 5 weeks. Then the following week dropping out a well beaten last.

4)the fact arcano was now dead which she says was a result of the horse getting sick and not respending to treatments.-when did that happen.Hard to tell because he just shows up as being deregistered on the hrnz website.  Obviously it happened some tiime in the last 5 years. 

5)with your claim that

aren't you just doing what you are criticisng her for doing. i.e. making assumptions. 

Interestly you seem to have tried to link her to being instrumental in arcano being put down. So whats the point of saying that. do you think people are going to think someone who dedicates there time to rehoming horses is somehow going to have a change that mindset.

anyway,i think you overestimate what you say is her skill to be rhetorically savvy and underestimate her audience which you say is easily fooled.  

as i said on the other thread on this forum,i think this topic is a bit of a no brainer. Its not about her,its about what shs saying and like it or not,the reason she has 50,000 followers( i have no idea whether thats a lot or not for facebook) but it tends to suggest that the industry should be working to get her on board instread of fighting her message.think 

If Becks Nairn wants credibility, she must show her hand.

In her podcast with Duncan Garner, she speaks of transparency—but where is the vet-provable evidence?

Let’s talk about Arcano. Nairn asserts that during a charity board meeting, she was informed a grey Standardbred named Aranco was arriving, already “fridge-gassed.” Yet somehow, this same horse—allegedly suffering respiratory issues—was schooled for the show ring, sold to a new owner, and earned her a payment. A year later, she dissects him and declares he’d been fridge-gassed all along.

So here’s the question: Where is the autopsy report? Where is the pathology? Where is the independent veterinary confirmation?

If Nairn profited from the horse in life, then monetized his death for Patreon content, she owes the public more than dramatic narration. She claims she doesn’t diagnose—yet she diagnosed Arcano. She is not a trained veterinarian, not a qualified pathologist, and operates without peer-reviewed oversight. So what kind of science is she selling?

Her business model is built on a paywall that shields her from scrutiny. Anyone who questions her is excluded—on Facebook, in forums, wherever she controls the discourse. When challenged by someone knowledgeable, she hides behind her followers and dispatches them to silence dissent.

She told Garner, “Let people bring the challenge.” But when it comes? She disappears. No results. No transparency. No credibility.

If she ever enters a scientific arena, she will be held accountable. And she knows it. That’s why she stays behind the paywall—because selling stories is profitable. Selling truth? That’s a different game.

Charisma doesn’t replace evidence. And science doesn’t shrink under inspection.

[Steven B]

I have taken the time to confirm that Becks Nairn charged the owner of Arcano for schooling the horse for the show ring. I possess photographic evidence of the owner expressing gratitude for her training services. Despite this, Nairn later claimed—without any verified veterinary documentation—that Arcano had been “fridge gassed.” This allegation was discussed during a board meeting, yet no supporting evidence was ever produced.

Arcano suffered from respiratory issues, yet Nairn proceeded to include him in her “Stable to Stirrup” program. A more ethical course of action would have been to retire the horse to paddock life or consider humane euthanasia. Instead, Nairn pursued publicity and profit, ultimately dissecting the horse and monetising the narrative through emotionally charged storytelling and unverified conclusions.

Although she publicly stated that Arcano had been fridge gassed, Nairn insists she does not make diagnoses. She demanded evidence to support her claim, yet none was provided. To date, she has not presented any findings that have been verified by licensed veterinarians. Her current activities resemble exploitation more than education.

Nairn is also affiliated with a teaching centre in Christchurch, reportedly backed by an Irish organisation. This centre appears to legitimise amateur dissections under a rural scheme, allowing individuals without formal training in anatomy or osteopathy—such as Nairn—to lecture. Rumours continue to circulate regarding her role in this operation and other things

She has advised horse owners to euthanise their animals and frequently acquires horses post-mortem, often with vet certificates. She then publishes speculative and inaccurate findings behind a paywall. These results are not peer-reviewed, and owners are rarely given the full truth.

Despite soliciting donations for her research, Nairn has publicly boasted about travelling to Thailand for cosmetic surgery. If she has the means for such procedures, it raises the question: why not self-fund her research or seek a professional loan, as most educated individuals do?

She claims to be a high-level classical dressage rider, yet there is no verifiable record of competitive success or production of elite horses. According to my wife, the conformation of her breeding stock is questionable at best.

In her interview with Duncan Garner, Nairn claimed to work with the best in the world and emphasised the cost of her education. I found this difficult to take seriously. When I requested Arcano’s results, she claimed they had been sent to the CEO of Standardbred Racing NZ—another unverified assertion.

When challenged, Nairn often retreats behind paywalls and curated narratives. She frequently name-drops veterinarians and associates herself with their reputations to bolster her own credibility. When she has none  However, I doubt she will ever enter the scientific arena, where truth and accuracy are non-negotiable. Her income depends on storytelling, not scrutiny.

In summary: no evidence, no accountability. Yet Nairn rides again.

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Steven B

[hesi]

In other words, she is a good old-fashioned quack who has used social media and the internet to make money.

Anybody with any background in science whatsoever would have picked this.  Unfortunately, or fortunately for her, there are many people who wouldn't know science if it bit them on the arse, so she has a large audience to capture 

[hesi]

Very well articulated by the way

[Chief Stipe]

@Steven B on her Facebook page Nairn says that she received texts from Arcano's owner confirming the horse had been "fridge gassed".  Is that BS?

[Steven B]

It is reassuring to see that some contributors to this forum are well-informed and capable of distinguishing fact from fiction. Frankly, I have never encountered an individual quite like Becks Nairn. She presents herself as a charismatic guru, elevated by her followers who regard her as a figure of authority. Yet her actions suggest a troubling indifference toward the welfare of the very horses she claims to advocate for.

Her public persona as an expert in horse dissection is deeply unsettling. On the Duncan Garner podcast, she made bold and emotional appeals, but when challenged, she withdrew—consistent with a pattern of avoiding direct scrutiny. Rather than respond to legitimate questions, she tends to retreat behind her supporters, shielding herself from accountability.

One notable example is her involvement in the Kaikōura horse rescue. Nairn authored a lengthy report advocating for the rescue of a filly, which she later acquired. Tragically, the filly sustained injuries during transport and was subsequently dissected, with its remains added to Nairn’s personal bone collection. This incident raises serious concerns about her judgment and the reliability of the information she disseminates.

Two veterinarians have publicly reviewed her claims and found them misleading, despite the authoritative tone she adopts. Her anatomical interpretations are questionable, and she continues to publish speculative content behind a paywall—without peer review or professional oversight.

Although she positions herself as an educator and researcher, Nairn solicits donations for her work while simultaneously boasting about personal expenditures, such as cosmetic surgery in Thailand. If she has the financial means for such procedures, it is reasonable to ask why she does not fund her own research, as most professionals do.

In summary, Becks Nairn’s conduct raises serious ethical and professional concerns. Her avoidance of scrutiny, reliance on emotional storytelling, and lack of verified scientific rigor suggest that her work may be more about personal gain than genuine education or equine welfare.

 

[Chief Stipe]

Seems a bit incongruous how she wants to rehome horses but appears to absolutely relish dissecting them!

[Steven B]

29 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

@Steven B on her Facebook page Nairn says that she received texts from Arcano's owner confirming the horse had been "fridge gassed".  Is that BS?

A text message by the owner of Arcano saying the horse was fridge gassed is a hearsay- not proved evidence. In the event that Becks Nairn believes that hard evidence, then she is either ill-informed regarding what is meant by credible documentation or trying to deceive her audience with the aim of doing so. Hearsay does not go in any professional or legal setting. She might count on the fact that it will pass on face value or people will laugh at it but any person possessing a trained eye can see the theatrics. She needs to offer peer-reviewed evidence, which has been vetted by the veterinarian community, rather than tales and emotions.

[Steven B]

22 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Seems a bit incongruous how she wants to rehome horses but appears to absolutely relish dissecting them!

I have seen Becks Nairn boasting a good deal since I read a little about her, about the horses she has dissection-ed--they are not creatures, but merely carcasses. Her endless narration of tales, along with the sale of hypothetical and usually false findings over a paywall, is worrisome. In spite of all these her assertions, there is yet no single piece of veterinary-reviewed or peer-reviewed evidence to substantiate her results. She is aware that should she enter the scientific field, she will be evaluated by experts and be judged according to scores she cannot achieve. She will not be able to conceal herself behind her followers or the edited stories that she can direct. I will repeat it, she realizes that her income would plummet significantly in case she had to tell the truth, to create hard, verifiable evidence.

 

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Steven B said:

A text message by the owner of Arcano saying the horse was fridge gassed is a hearsay- not proved evidence. In the event that Becks Nairn believes that hard evidence, then she is either ill-informed regarding what is meant by credible documentation or trying to deceive her audience with the aim of doing so. Hearsay does not go in any professional or legal setting. She might count on the fact that it will pass on face value or people will laugh at it but any person possessing a trained eye can see the theatrics. She needs to offer peer-reviewed evidence, which has been vetted by the veterinarian community, rather than tales and emotions.

Well she did post a screen shot of the texts.  

What I have noticed about her claims is there is no verification of the "normal" to which she compares her "abnormal".  That is there is no information on her control samples.

[Chief Stipe]

9 minutes ago, Steven B said:

I have seen Becks Nairn boasting a good deal since I read a little about her, about the horses she has dissection-ed--they are not creatures, but merely carcasses. Her endless narration of tales, along with the sale of hypothetical and usually false findings over a paywall, is worrisome. In spite of all these her assertions, there is yet no single piece of veterinary-reviewed or peer-reviewed evidence to substantiate her results. She is aware that should she enter the scientific field, she will be evaluated by experts and be judged according to scores she cannot achieve. She will not be able to conceal herself behind her followers or the edited stories that she can direct. I will repeat it, she realizes that her income would plummet significantly in case she had to tell the truth, to create hard, verifiable evidence.

 

She often talks about not having enough funding to do supporting analyses such as testing blood samples prior to dissection.

[Steven B]

As I have been informed, the Stable to Stirrup program has been heavily funded when Becks Nairn participated in it. Extraneous staff were hired including young girls who were hired to help her. Nairn started calling herself the head trainer, a title that indicates her tendency to use high-status names. The staffing and funding were not enough yet the staff retention was a problem. A good number of the younger employees did not last long, and they were reporting internal trouble. Hiring more people within a charity is financially liable and according to me, Nairn has not been open about the way these resources were used. Following the departure of Nairn in the charity, a new manager was hired. Purportedly, things had gotten better- personnel retained their positions and business operations were smoother. I am left wondering as to what exactly occurred between Nairn and the Stable to Stirrup program and whether she has left due to underlying reasons that are still unresolved.

[Steven B]

6 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Well she did post a screen shot of the texts.  

What I have noticed about her claims is there is no verification of the "normal" to which she compares her "abnormal".  That is there is no information on her control samples.

As a form of evidence, a screenshot of a text message is not evidence, it is anecdotal and untested. In the case of scientific claims by her, where do the control samples lie? It is impossible to pronounce something abnormal without defining what normal is using the correct methodology. It is science at its simple level. Her comparisons are mere guesses without peer-reviewed information or veterinary care.

[Chief Stipe]

19 minutes ago, Steven B said:

As I have been informed, the Stable to Stirrup program has been heavily funded when Becks Nairn participated in it. Extraneous staff were hired including young girls who were hired to help her. Nairn started calling herself the head trainer, a title that indicates her tendency to use high-status names. The staffing and funding were not enough yet the staff retention was a problem. A good number of the younger employees did not last long, and they were reporting internal trouble. Hiring more people within a charity is financially liable and according to me, Nairn has not been open about the way these resources were used. Following the departure of Nairn in the charity, a new manager was hired. Purportedly, things had gotten better- personnel retained their positions and business operations were smoother. I am left wondering as to what exactly occurred between Nairn and the Stable to Stirrup program and whether she has left due to underlying reasons that are still unresolved.

What date did she depart from the charity?  Seems to be April 2023.  Nairn was an original Trustee.

I see that the last time they had paid employees was in 2022.  Only volunteers since then.  

https://register.charities.govt.nz/CharitiesRegister/ViewCharity?accountId=9fa26d24-5da7-e911-9ba0-00155d6b7730&redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fregister.charities.govt.nz%2FCharitiesRegister%2FSearch%3FSubmitted%3DTrue%26CharityNameSearchType%3DContains%26CharityName%3Dstable

 

CC56878_UpdatedDetailSummary_NOC013.pdf Rules.pdf

[Steven B]

As far as I know, Becks Nairn was making $600 net a week when she was working at the charity She got a commission on every horse she could pump through the charity They subsequently employed a manager, a qualified accountant  Laura, Mae and another employee helped trained the horses  I received some video of Nairn posing with the girls and he was visibly enjoying the exposure. Around 2022, Nairn resigned as the charity's Head Trainer and the manager left around the same date. Apparently, there was something behind the scenes, something that Nairn has not come out publicly to admit. She was even reportedly stood down on the Kaikoura rescue, but seemed keen to remain part of the operation, so the question of why she kept on insisting on being part of the rescue remains open to question. I would question whether she cared much about the horses or it was more about a need to retain a level of influence and access to resources. Her career at the charity has unresolved problems that should be investigated further. 

I am suspicious of Arcano case. Becks Nairn also seems to have pushed him through the charity, although unsound, which also casts doubt on whether money and commission were the reasons. This is an obvious conflict of interest: she had supposedly billed the owner to school him not in the charity, and had again made a profit by dissecting him. The whole scenario is not congruent. Assuming this to be the case, there is an implication of taking advantage of the horse and the charity as well as exploiting them. Such practices are to be examined more thoroughly and strongly concern ethical issues.

Edited 7 hours ago by Steven B

[Steven B]

6 hours ago, hesi said:

In other words, she is a good old-fashioned quack who has used social media and the internet to make money.

Anybody with any background in science whatsoever would have picked this.  Unfortunately, or fortunately for her, there are many people who wouldn't know science if it bit them on the arse, so she has a large audience to capture 

Becks Nairn is constantly speaking down to her audience, she like to present herself as an expert person who has no  formal qualifications . Her understanding of fundamental science is scarce not due to her lack of intelligence, but rather due to the fact she is a master when it comes to emotional manipulation. She has made turning of horses into a business idea, and it simply amazes me that people still believe her. She even says that lots of people are not able to understand the simple anatomy, but her knowledge in this field can be regarded as questionable. What she publishes is misguided, and she goes further to prescribe books on anatomy to others, yet the same person does not have the qualifications to read them. It would be a good movie--a film made with blarney instead of substance, such is all this character she has created. You and Chief are intellectual persons; you have the A, B, and C--and the veracity between. It is particularly disturbing what she has done with Arcano. Instances of her seeming to have made two fortunes--at the charity through forcing a horse that was unsound, and after this again through dissection. Reading across different forums, you will find she has been subjected to questioning by people who demand evidence. In most cases, she will tend to vanish, find allies to tempt the opponent and make sure they are ostracised. Any opposition to this is promptly silenced. This is exactly why she is working behind a paywall, so that she can curate the narrative the way she wants to, release erroneous and misleading findings, and make money off of the people who choose to pay her. Should she on any day, happen to enter the scientific world, as I indicated earlier, she will no longer be able to conceal herself. She can attempt to play games in the background or use  the work of other people as her own, but the scientific community will not accept it. Her approach will be revealed to them as unverified, unethical, and exploitative.

[hesi]

When you have a scientific background, all it takes is one small thing to pick a fraudster.  It can be something as simple as a spelling mistake, that no one who was familiar with science would ever make.  

I presume from the way you write that you also have a scientific background

[Steven B]

56 minutes ago, hesi said:

When you have a scientific background, all it takes is one small thing to pick a fraudster.  It can be something as simple as a spelling mistake, that no one who was familiar with science would ever make.  

I presume from the way you write that you also have a scientific background

Sort of Hesi  you deal in facts, not fiction 

Becks Nairn continues to make bold assertions regarding equine development and dissection work—yet she consistently avoids publishing her results, disclosing her methodology, or subjecting her claims to peer review. That alone is a serious red flag. In any field seeking reform, credibility is built on transparency. Without it, even the most passionate advocacy risks collapsing into mere posturing.

Her habit of name-dropping veterinarians and loosely claiming team affiliations appears less like genuine collaboration and more like an attempt to borrow credibility she hasn’t earned. When someone invokes a professional like Dr. Carol Shwetz without clearly defining the nature of the partnership—who is conducting the research, who is interpreting the data, and who holds accountability—it begins to resemble a credibility cloak rather than a legitimate scientific alliance.

If Becks were truly committed to reforming horse training practices, she would present her findings—photos, timelines, anatomical comparisons, case studies, even formal documentation. Better yet, she would submit her work for peer review. Instead, she remains conspicuously silent on the evidentiary front, offering no verifiable data to support her claims.

The likely reason is simple: she either lacks the data, or she knows it won’t withstand scrutiny. Her business model is built on narrative, not research. If she were to step into the scientific arena, her claims would likely unravel—and with them, the income she derives from butchering and selling a story constructed from untested assertions. This is why transparency remains off the table. It’s not about the horses. It’s not about welfare. It’s about her—and the money.